Social Distancing Raised to Level 2.5; Suwon City Strengthens Quarantine Measures at Multipurpose Facilities

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] With the third wave of COVID-19 becoming a reality, 'Capital Region social distancing' has been raised to Level 2.5. Accordingly, Suwon City halted operations starting at 0:00 on the 8th at public indoor and outdoor sports facilities (including private indoor sports facilities), community center programs, and senior community centers (which suspended operations from November 30).

Additionally, welfare facilities, cultural facilities, public libraries, museums, and art galleries will strictly comply with facility-specific quarantine guidelines while limiting the number of users to 30% of normal capacity.

Entertainment establishments (entertainment bars, lounges, and coin noraebang bars) that were subject to 'assembly bans' starting from the 24th of last month when Level 2 social distancing took effect will have their three-week assembly ban extended from the 8th, and singing practice rooms have been newly added to the assembly ban list.

Restaurants are prohibited from on-premises dining from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, with only takeout and delivery permitted. Cafes are allowed only takeout and delivery during business hours.

Academies (including private educational institutes) are prohibited from gathering, but teaching for university entrance exams and vocational skills training courses with contracts from or approved by the Minister of Employment and Labor are permitted.

In such cases, facilities must comply with quarantine rules including limiting occupancy to one person per 8㎡ of floor space or maintaining two-seat spacing, and prohibiting food consumption. Additionally, operations must cease after 9 p.m.

Major multipurpose facilities such as movie theaters, PC bangs, beauty salons, arcades, reading rooms, marts, and department stores must cease operations after 9 p.m. Bath facilities limit occupancy to one person per 16㎡. Saunas and jjimjilbang facilities are prohibited from operating.

Wedding venues and funeral halls limit occupancy to fewer than 50 people, and churches are required to conduct non-contact services in principle (up to 20 people for in-person services).

Key management facilities will have the 'one-strike-out rule' applied, under which a single violation of quarantine rules will result in immediate 'assembly ban' measures. General management facilities will face strong administrative sanctions for violations. Suwon City plans to continue conducting on-site inspections and provide guidance on updated quarantine rules.

General management facilities violating quarantine rules will first receive guidance, and a follow-up inspection will be conducted within three days; if quarantine rules continue to be violated, administrative fines (1.5 million won for first violation, 3 million won for second violation) will be imposed. Even after fines are imposed, facilities continuing to violate quarantine rules will face assembly bans or suspension of operations.

A city official stated, "All business establishments must comply with quarantine rules for everyone's safety," and urged, "Citizens must strictly adhere to the rules until 'social distancing' is lifted, and refrain from visiting places where many people gather."